Barry D Laravie's Obituary
Barry Laravie passed away peacefully on December 3rd at age 80. He is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia, 10 children – Lisa (Tom), April (Renette), Kim, Brett (Jamie), Jerret (Janel), Gina (Richard), Marc, Dan (Chris), Tom (Debbie) and Eileen. His family also includes 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and his sister-in-law, Bobbie.
Barry was preceded in death by his mother and father (Henry and Gertrude), brother and sister-in-law (Robert and Mary Jo) and grandson (Andrew).
Barry was born in Lima, Ohio where he excelled in all sports which was a constant theme in his life. He also had a love for the Ohio State Buckeyes that probably continues even now. Due to his size (6’6, 260 lbs. at the height of his career), he received the nickname “Bear” that followed for his entire lifetime. He accepted a football scholarship to the University of Dayton and after received several offers to play professional football. After an injury sidelined that pursuit, Barry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War period. Once again, his athletic prowess saved him from going the front lines. Instead, he joined the USMC football team.
After his military service, Barry moved to Virginia where he met his first wife and raised 6 children. He was a police officer for the Arlington County Police Department for 20 years. Throughout the years, his love of sports (and his children) guided him. He coached his children in both youth sports and high school.
After his retirement, he met his second wife, Patricia and he accepted Patricia’s three children into their new blended family. They ultimately moved to Tampa, Florida in 2001 to leave the northern snow behind. They traveled frequently and held season tickets to the University of South Florida football team. He worked a few seasons as an usher for the Clearwater Threshers minor league baseball team. Barry loved running in his later years and would compete in races usually winning for his age group. In 2017, Barry and Patricia moved into Heritage Pines Country Club estates where they embraced the retirement lifestyle and sense of community. In 2012, Barry was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, he spent the past 11 years fighting that an additional cancers like any world class athlete would. A gathering will be held at Grace Memorial Gardens on Saturday December 16 at 11am. A funeral service will follow at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barry's name to the American Cancer Society.
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We love you and will miss you always
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